NEW RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE COULD INCREASE AIR POLLUTION
(Published 17 March 2011)
Green charity, Environmental Protection UK (EPUK), is warning that the Coalition Government’s recently announced renewable heat incentive (RHI) could lead to increasing air pollution, especially in urban areas.
The RHI will offer businesses and households incentive payments to use renewable heat including biomass systems such as wood-fired boilers.
However, EPUK cautions that biomass heating systems can release high levels of air pollutants when fuel is burnt, presenting a potential health risk in built-up areas.
EPUK wants to see a location-based approach to renewable heat, with local authorities having a greater say in what types of system can be installed to ensure that pollution levels and potential health risks are minimised.
EPUK chairman James Grugeon, said:
“The RHI highlights the need for a rethink on the Government’s microgeneration strategy. It’s a step in the right direction, but this broad-brush approach to installing renewables shows there is a lack of understanding about the local health impacts they can have and also where they work best.”
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